Was Paul a polished orator like Apollos?
No. His speech was considered contemptible, perhaps lacking the most perfect Greek grammar. Unlike Apollos and some Greek philosophers, he did not come with polished oratory or enticing words of man’s wisdom; his preaching was in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power.
Les explains that Paul’s critics said his speech was contemptible, and he may not have used the most perfect Greek grammar. Paul was not a polished orator like Apollos or like some of the other Greek philosophers, and he had to overcome that. But Paul did not overcome it himself; the Spirit of God did. Paul had been thrown in prison, dragged out as dead, and stoned, yet he never quit preaching that simple gospel. His preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom but in the demonstration of the Spirit and power. Les compares this to dropping a word or planting a seed: it may seem like nothing, but the message goes out, accomplishes something, and one day comes back, maybe not in this life. Verse 5 shows Paul was not proud of their works but proud of their faith.
For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
More Questions
Why did people say Paul's speech was contemptible?
When people said Paul's speech was contemptible, it may have meant he did not use the most perfect Greek grammar, since he was not a polished orator like Apollos or some of the other Greek philosophers.
What did Paul's critics say about his physical appearance and his speech?
Paul had a physical appearance that did not attract people but rather held them at bay, and his speech was considered contemptible.